Safeworking Irregularity/Breach at Bomen NSW on 6 September 2010

Summary

At about 2307 on 6 September 2010 a
safeworking irregularity involving freight train 2CM3 occurred at
Bomen in New South Wales.

The network controller attempted to set the route for
freight train 2CM3 to depart Bomen Yard and proceed onto the
mainline towards Melbourne. The network controller was unable to
change absolute signal BN27 from a stop (red) aspect to a proceed
aspect (green), so he gave verbal authorisation to the driver of
train 2CM3 to depart Bomen and pass signal BN27 while it was
displaying a stop indication. However, issuing a verbal
authorisation was not in compliance with the safeworking rules in
this case. The network controller should have issued a written
Special Proceed Authority (SPA) to authorise train 2CM3 to pass
signal BN27 at stop.

The investigation found that a procedural error by
the network controller was the main factor that contributed to the
incident. There were no injuries or damage to rolling stock or
other property as a result of the incident.